Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) (25 page)

Dom and I laugh at the sweet woman as she places the guilty phone into her pocket. Now free to turn her attention to us, she checks on our daily plans.

“
So what do you two love-birds have in store for today
?
”

I nearly choke on my coffee at the antiquated reference to love-birds.
 “
Nothing special. Just heading out to the office
.
”

“
Actually... w
e’
re not going to the office today
.
” Dom casually informs us both.

I look at him, confusion creasing i
t’
s way through my facial muscles, and then my tone as I reply,
 “
W
e’
re not
?
”

Dom shakes his head smugly.
“
Nope. W
e’
re taking a day to scout locations for the benefit gala. All calls will be forwarded to our cells
.
”

Aunt Rosie beams, clapping her hands together,
 “
That sounds wonderful! You two kids have a great time
!
” She kisses us both and then heads out to join the other feminine voices gathered near the front of the house.

With our third wheel now gone, I turn once more to Dom, my eyebrow raised in silent question.
“
What?... I want you all to myself today. I
t’
s beautiful out. Le
t’
s go enjoy it
.
” His lips return to play with mine. Teasing them, before he adds,
 “
Besides.... I plan on enjoying
you
  all day
.
”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The late morning sun showers us with its rays, the top to the convertible down, allowing full exposure to the warm light. The tiny hairs escaping from under my baseball cap flap themselves around in the current of air. This car must be one of Do
m’
s newest ones, one of his toys, with this being my first trip taken in it. We head east on the Long Island Expressway, heading out to wine country. The North Fork of the island houses some of the most beautiful vineyards I have ever seen. It may be a little bit of a trek, but, i
t’
s one gorgeous drive.

As we leave suburbia behind, the greens of the landscape and blues of the sky become more vivid, crisp. Quite possible just a figment of my imagination, I swear the air seems fresher. I tilt my head back, allowing some sunlight to peak past the bill of my cap and bathe me, my sunglasses shielding my eyes. This is heaven.

The bridled strength of the engine takes its time carrying us past the large oak trees and quaint farmhouses. I squeeze Do
m’
s hand, resting on my thigh to share my excitement at the views, pointing and observing them in awe. Tiny farm stands dot the road side, the happy merchants offering goods and conversation to their customers. I
t’
s such a peaceful, relaxing little slice of Americana, just over two hours from the hustle and bustle of the busy Manhattan streets.

Do
m’
s silver car turns onto a well-worn dirt road, leading us to a large wooden building. The
 “
Bir
d’
s Nes
t
” vineyard expands itself before us. The lush grape vines visible in the background, neatly organized in unending rows of leaves and bunches of fruit.

Once parked in front of the large covered porch, I look to my driver and offer an excited smile. Unable to contain myself, I rip off my baseball cap, tossing it into the back seat and ruffle my hand through my wavy, wind-blown hair before exiting the car. The dust from our drive up is settling around the car as we leave it behind, entering the shade from the victorian-styled porch.

Two gentlemen with clipboards in hand are speaking in one of the far corners of the outdoor sanctuary. They take notice of us as we approach, and one calls out to Dom.

“
Hey! Glad you can finally make it!
I’
ve been begging you to take the drive out here for months
!
” The man embraces Dom before turning to me.
 “
And this must be your girl, hmm?
I’
ll try not to steal her from you, bud
.
”

The handsome, blonde man in a button down linen shirt with khaki pants and brown leather shoes lifts my hand to his lips and gives it a sweet, innocent kiss, while playfully darting his eyes to Dom and giving him a wink.

Dom laughs and gives him push.
 “
Enough, bro. V, this is Dan Schultz. H
e’
s an old fraternity brother of mine from school. Dan
,
”
 
he turns to me,
 “
This... is my girlfriend,Vincenza
.
”

With a formal introduction made, I smile to my new acquaintance.
 “
Please, call me V
.
”

Dan smiles playfully, accepting my invitation,
 “
Sweetheart, I will call you anything you want me to
.
”

I laugh. These frat boy
s…
ther
e’
s always a special streak of mischief in them.

“
So, let me give you guys the grand tour! Welcome to Bir
d’
s Nest Vineyards, established three years ago, with my brains and Do
m’
s backing
.
”

I glance over to Dom at the sudden revelation. I did
n’
t realize he was an investor in a vineyard. My attention is quickly brought back to our host as he guides us through the front room of the converted farm house.

“
We are one of the busiest vineyards on the North Fork. We offer wine tastings, large group events, weddings, live music out on the back deck on the weekends. I
t’
s a great place to come and hang out, unwind on your day off, a real
chill
  kind of atmosphere
.
”

That word fits perfectly with Dan and his laid back, surfer vibe. I look around the bright and airy rooms, the beautiful yet simple
dé
cor and local treasures spread about. Old black and white pictures are framed throughout the shelves of novelties for sale, depicting the rich history of the area. I pick one such frame up and admire the antiquated family depicted within, when I hear the male voices enter.

“
Sales have been great, overhead kept low. Feedback and reviews are spectacular. W
e’
ve hit a real niche here, filled the gap between some of the older, more traditional wineries out here, and the younger crowd looking for a new hangout. And I could
n’
t have done it without you, bro. You stepped in when no one else would take the risk.
I’
ll owe you for the rest of my life
.
”

Dom pats his friend on the back,
 “
Now do
n’
t get all sappy on me. Just... name your first born son after me and w
e’
ll call it a wash
.
”

The sincere moment has now quickly turned comical.

“
Well, you two look around, let me know if it fit your needs and come find me when yo
u’
re ready to try some wine
.
” Dan gives me a wink as he makes his exit, leaving Dom and I alone.

“
So... what do you think? We can have a huge tent erected on the back lawn. Lights strewn everywhere, a band, great food. W
e’
ll have everyone driven in. I think we can pull it together in time for the event, do
n’
t you
?
”

I turn to look out the large plantation windows, out at the never-ending sea of luscious grapevines in the distance. I
t’
s so beautiful, I could just stand and admire them forever. Dom creeps up behind me, arms spreading out and splaying over me protectively as I rest against him. This could work. I can make it work.... i
t’
s gonna be one hell of a party.

“
Le
t’
s do it.
I’
ll be busy for the next month or so, but I think I can get it done
.
”

Dom squeezes me, his satisfaction evident at my decision.
 “
OK. Le
t’
s go set it up with Dan
.
”

He weaves his fingers in with mine and guides me by our held hands out to find the proprietor.

~*~

Both men look at me seriously as they await my decision. I mull it over, thinking carefully about my choice, before finally coming up with a verdict.

“
The red one
,
”
 
I profess.

Dom bows his head in mock defeat as his friend flaunts his victory over him.
“
Ha! I told you! I knew I liked you, V!
,
” Dan gloats.

I look apologetically over to Dom, across the rims of wine glasses, shrugging my shoulders
.“
Sorry,
babe.
I’
m a red wine kinda girl, I guess
.
”

Dan holds his hand out to his fraternity brother who is still play sulking,
 “
Pay up buddy
.
”

I had just sampled the finest wines that this vineyard has to offer and I find myself really taken back by how good the home-grown, home-made wines are. I
t’
s an art and Dan seems to have done exceptionally well with finding great flavors and grapes to craft his wines. One small sip of each was more than enough to get the full array of flavors. I can see how this place has become as profitable as Dan has told us.

With Dom settling up the loosing end of his friendly bet on my favorite wine, he ushers me out toward the main entrance. After having been given the full tour of the vineyards, the factory, and facilities, w
e’
ve spent more than four hours at the
Bir
d’
s Nest... 
Dom is now politely trying to guide our exit. Our goodbyes and thanks are given to Dan as well as the other employees w
e’
ve met along the way.

Dom opens my car door and helps me in, all the while Dan shouts out farewells from the protection of the porch,
 “
You guys stop by any time you like! Drive safe! It was great to finally meet you, V! Call me when you get tired of him
!
”

I see Dom growl from the drivers seat, and I playfully blow a kiss to his friend to fuel the fire.

“
You know yo
u’
re only encouraging him, right?
,
” he laughs.

I nod.
 “
Yup
.
”

The dust kicks up in our wake as we leave the vineyard behind. Once at the end of the drive, Dom turns the blinker switch to signal right rather than left. I catch the movement and inquire as to change in expected direction.

“
Where are we going, now
?
”
 
I ask out.

Dom smirks, attention on the passing cars, waiting for his opportunity to advance.
 “
I
t’
s a surprise
.
”

I throw my hands up playfully.
“
Another
surprise? I do
n’
t know how much more I can take
.
”

Dom shakes his head
.
“
That..
.
”
He throws his head back in the direction of the Bir
d’
s Nest,
 “
...was
n’
t a surprise. That was business. But wha
t’
s coming next.... is a surprise
.
”

I feel tingling throughout my body at his revelation. Anticipation is getting the better of me, like a small child on Christmas morning, waiting to unwrap her gifts.

The anticipation only grows as we drive along the main road several miles before making a turn onto a side street, heading north. The road starts to pitch down as we travel downhill. A white picket fence signals the entrance to a hidden drive, and we navigate the car into it. Large shaded trees offer plenty of shade to the driveway and the car as Dom slows to a stop in front of the oversized white victorian house nestled on the property.

The house is old, but beautifully restored. The windows are gleaming in the sunlight, the lawn freshly manicured. I
t’
s obvious that the owners take pride in their masterpiece of a home. I wonder to myself who it could be, perhaps another one of Do
m’
s fraternity brothers?

“
Wow! This is remarkable! I
t’
s gorgeous, Dom. Who... who lives here
?
” I find myself wandering up the brick laden path leading to the oversized door at its end.

Dom follows, allowing space between us as I continue my exploration. I can hear the excitement in his voice as it emanates from behind.

“
We do
.
”

I pause in my tracks, the inertia taking a moment to catch up with me as I rebound slightly. A heavy weight presses on my chest as I comprehend his words. I turn abruptly to face his approaching body, holding out my hand to stop him.

“
Wha- what do you mean,
we do
?
”

Dom takes hold of my outstretched barrier of a hand and moves it aside, closing in.
 “
I
t’
ll make a fantastic summer home. A great place for all of us to use as a getaway. I
t’
s got plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a pool.  Ther
e’
s a path in the back that leads down to a private beach with docking rights. Big enough for a small sail boat. J
J’
s been begging John for a boat forever, and over here..
.
”